Jeff F Dunn

Dr. Jeff F Dunn, PhD

Positions

Professor

Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Radiology

Adjunct Professor

Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences

Adjunct Professor

Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology

Full Member

Hotchkiss Brain Institute

Child Health & Wellness Researcher

Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute

Full Member

McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health

Contact information

Web presence

Phone number

Office: +1 (403) 210-3886

Background

Educational Background

B.S. Zoology, University of British Columbia, 1978

Doctor of Philosophy Zoology, University of British Columbia, 1985

Biography

We are developing and applying a MRI, near-infrared spectroscopy, histology and direct measurements of oxygen to study oxygen regulation in brain—in both clinical and preclinical studies. We are studying low oxygen (hypoxia) as a marker of disease processes, and the role of hypoxia in disease progression—including cancer, multiple sclerosis, concussion, neurotoxins and brain inflammation. We study changes in brain function and anatomy, with measures of functional imaging, white matter degeneration, and blood flow, blood brain barrier disruption, cell tracking etc.. In the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, I'm associated with the priority areas of multiple sclerosis, concussion, epilepsy, neurodevelopment and stroke.

Research

Areas of Research

Brain
Brain Injury
Inflammation
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mitochondria
Neuroimaging
Stroke
Activities

Brain oxygen levels are a sensitive marker of brain health. We are developing and applying a range of technologies to study oxygen levels in brain and how these relate to disease processes. We research brain imaging with light as a method for assessing concussion. We may have found a method that is portable and relatively inexpensive to monitor brain injury. I am the Director of the Experimental Imaging Centre which develops and applies technology to study disease models as well as translate technology to patient care. We use MRI and near-infrared spectroscopy to non-invasively study brain oxygenation and blood vessel growth in the brain in response to chronic low oxygen—such as may occur in stroke, MS, brain injury and high-altitude medicine.

Participation in university strategic initiatives

Courses

Course number Course title Semester
BIOL 530 LAB 01 B01 Hnrs Res Proj in Bio Sci 2020
BIOL 530 LAB 01 B01 Hnrs Res Proj in Bio Sci 2020

Projects

Small animal MRI

We use high field (9.4T) MRI to study disease processes in animal models. This includes studies of inflammation, BBB, cell tracking, white matter degeneration, diffusion tensor, atrophy and perfusion.


Near-infrared spectroscopy

We use functional near-infrared spectroscopy to study human brain cortical activation. We use frequency domain NIRS to quantify oxy and deoxyhemoglobin in the brain as a marker of hypoxia in disease processes and brain injury. We have developed a broadband NIRS system for studies of rodent brain oxygenation and function.

Awards

  • University of Calgary Top Graduate Supervisor Award, University of Calgary. 2017
  • Killam Graduate Supervision and Mentorship Award, Killam Trusts. 2021